Hotel Daedalus Fira

We had previously made some enquiries in the town about hiring a car and found one for just 20 Euros per day –what a bargain! So after a leisurely breakfast in front of the endless caldera view we headed off to hire the car. We started out for Akrotiri, the ancient village that was buried by ash thousands of years ago. Unfortunately it was closed and had been for some time following a roof collapse that killed a tourist. I was kind-of glad that it was closed if the ...

There are simple ways of getting to Oia (or Ia as it is also know and how you pronounce it), such as bus, taxi or hire car. But who needs simple? I had read as part of my research about the wonderful walk between Fira and Oia and I thought we'd give it a try. Loading up the backpack with some supplies (but forgetting water of all things) we set off through the town of Fira which seamlessly turns into Firostafani. Along the way there are so many photo opportunities to get pretty pictures of ...

... to the top. I think about walking it back to Fira, but not for very long. You can pay 5 euros for a donkey ride up the steps, but that doesn't appeal to me any more than it does to the donkey, I image. So the cable car it is. I eat a plate of mushrooms sauteed in garlic and olive oil and wash it down with a mug of cold beer. Then I find a bench overlooking the crater and spend a breezy hour or two with my book and to watch the wind kick up the chop across the water below.

... to be directed to tour apartment.

There were only 2 other couples at the hotel, but they were expecting tourists a week later because of the Greek Easter. The apartment very nice and clean, newly painted, and the tv tells you the whole story of the island, the Volcano, and everything you need to know about this beautiful island.

We left our luggage and ran out to explore the place… ...

... and Kamari are the two main ones here - they are exposed to the open ocean so it was quite a bit rougher than at Red Beach, although not so bad you couldn't go in. Many people actually snorkeled near the shoreline. Perissa is a backpackers' haven; things are cheap and there is a youth hostel in the village. Kamari is a little more upscale (read expensive) and, in contrast to the black sandy beaches at Perissa - it has a black ROCKY beach. We also visited the town of Pyrgos ...

... starter, fish soup to share, and Ai Ling had cod fish and I have rabbit. Nope, the rabbit is not enough for me...












The sign of the restaurant is pretty well decorated in the stone wall.

















Awww..... the night view of the Caldera...